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PRINCIPALS' MESSAGES 2006

MESSAGES 2006 :: AUGUST 3, 2006

AUGUST 3, 2006

Last week, I met with the newly formed Principals Advisory Committee at Nortel Networks, where members saw state-of-the-art learning technology used by employees at this technology company. We also discussed concerns of principals statewide. Topping the list? Recruiting and keeping quality teachers. In coming meetings we will discuss how the Department of Public Instruction can assist in efforts to fill your classrooms with quality teachers, among other topics. Please note the list of principals who are serving on the advisory committee (item below) and feel free to communicate with them regarding concerns and input that you would like them to bring forward.

Regards,
June Atkinson


In this Biweekly Principals' Message:

  1. State Board Meeting Highlights
  2. 2006-07 State Superintendent's Principals' Advisory Committee
  3. New Law Provides Teachers with Instructional Planning Time and a Duty-Free Lunch
  4. Exit Standards Videoconference to be Held in August
  5. Governor's School Auditions Set
  6. Cumberland County Web Academy Seeks Teachers
  7. Cherokee County Schools Receive National Grant
  8. Onslow County High School Participates in National Parade
  9. Integrating K-12 Computer/Technology Skills and Information Skills
  10. TheTeacherCenter.org


State Board Meeting Highlights

At today's State Board meeting, members approved a new guiding mission statement and supporting goals focusing on 21st century education, AYP results for high schools and AYP reading results for elementary and middle schools and alignment of the Initial Licensure Program Policy with Standard Professional 1 License Requirements. Board members also discussed a strategic plan for literacy, and its Ad Hoc Committee on School Leadership's report recommendations that reflect the knowledge, skills and dispositions that school leaders must have if all students are to leave school prepared for successful participation in the 21st century economy. Complete State Board Highlights are expected to be available online by Wednesday morning at http://www.ncpublicschools.org/sbehighlights by clicking on the appropriate link.


2006-07 State Superintendent's Principals' Advisory Committee

Principals serving on the 2006-07 State Superintendent's Principals' Advisory Committee have been named. If you have issues or concerns you would like to bring to the attention of State Superintendent June Atkinson, please pass them along to any of the following members:


New Law Provides Teachers with Instructional Planning Time and a Duty-Free Lunch

Beginning with the 2007-08 school year, North Carolina public school teachers will have access to an instructional planning time and a duty-free lunch period thanks to legislation Gov. Mike Easley signed into law. House Bill 1151, "An act to provide for instructional planning time and a duty-free lunch for teachers," mandates all North Carolina public school improvement plans include providing duty-free lunch periods for every teacher on a daily basis and duty-free instructional planning time, with the goal of at least five hours per week. With this new law, North Carolina becomes the first state in the nation where a team of teachers decides how and when to establish planning time, according to the National Governors Association.


Exit Standards Videoconference to be Held in August

On Aug. 22, the NCDPI Secondary Education Division will host an Exit Standards Video Conference. A registration form with videoconference sites was sent last Friday to central office staff to forward to high school principals and secondary guidance counselors. Please be on the lookout for this information. For additional information, please contact Wandra Polk, Secondary Education Division Director, at 919.807.3817, or by email, wpolk@dpi.state.nc.us.


Governor's School Auditions Set

The NCDPI Exceptional Children Division has scheduled performing/visual arts auditions for the 2007 Governor's School program to be held on the campus of Meredith College in Raleigh. Please note that auditions will be held on two separate dates due to space availability. Students auditioning in Choral Music, Drama and Instrumental Music should attend auditions on Saturday, Feb. 10, 2007. Students auditioning in Visual Art and Dance should attend auditions on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2007. Nomination packets for the 2007 session of Governor's School will be mailed the second week in September. The deadline for submitting nominations is Nov. 22. For more information, please call Mary Watson, Exceptional Children Division Director, at 919.807.3969, or by email, mwatson@dpi.state.nc.us.


Cumberland County Web Academy Seeks Teachers

The Cumberland County Web Academy is searching for highly qualified teachers across the curriculum to begin part-time work this fall instructing students across the state. Teachers are needed as part of the collaboration among the NCDPI, the Web Academy and the North Carolina Virtual Public School. If interested, please visit www.ccswebacademy.net and click on "Employment" and fill out the online application. For more information, please contact Allan Jordan, Director of Online Teaching and Learning/Principal Web Academy, 910.484.3391, or by email, ajordan@ccswebacademy.net.


Cherokee County Schools Receive National Grant

Congratulations to Cherokee County Schools for being one of 19 school districts in 14 states across the U.S. to share in $31 million in grants to create safe learning environments that promote healthy childhood development and prevent youth violence and drug use. The highly competitive grant program, known as the Safe School/Healthy Students Initiative, encourages school districts to partner with local law enforcement, juvenile justice and mental health agencies to implement a comprehensive plan focused on six elements including safe school environments, mental health treatment services, and early childhood emotional development programs. For more information, please contact Marguerite Peebles, School Safety and Climate, 919.807.3940, or by email, mpeebles@dpi.state.nc.us.


Onslow County High School Participates in National Parade

Congratulations to White Oak High School's Marching Vikings (Onslow County Schools) for being selected by a national selection committee to represent North Carolina in the 2006 National Independence Day Parade in Washington, DC on July 4. The band, under the direction of Perry Ditch, participated with other bands, government officials, national military units, sponsored floats, and other specialty units in this national event.


Integrating K-12 Computer/Technology Skills and Information Skills

Educators may want to take advantage of instructional resources and activities found online at http://community.learnnc.org/dpi/tech when integrating K-12 Computer/Technology Skills and Information Skills with content areas in a real world context. For more information, please contact Martha Campbell, K-12 Information/Computer Skills Consultant, NCDPI, mcampbel@dpi.state.nc.us.


TheTeacherCenter.org

The Southern Regional Education Board would like to remind North Carolina educators of its online resource that makes available hundreds of online courses, licensure and certification resources and much more. From searching for a program or course, understanding highly qualified standards, preparing for a test, or finding a job, it's all available online at www.TheTeacherCenter.org.

 

 

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